United Synagogue Youth Seaboard Region Constitution PREAMBLE We, the representatives of Seaboard Region United Synagogue Youth, affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), recognize that youth must perpetuate Judaism and be cognizant of the historical and cultural background of our people. In order to further these principles, we do hereby establish this Constitution of United Synagogue Youth. ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE SECTION A: NAME 1. The name of this organization shall be the Seaboard Region (herein referred to as Region) of United Synagogue Youth (USY). 2. The Hebrew name shall be “Hof Hayam” SECTION B: PURPOSE The purpose of the Region shall be to serve the chapters within its jurisdiction. ARTICLE II: CHAPTER AFFILIATION SECTION A: Jewish youth groups (herein referred to as chapters) within the jurisdiction of Seaboard Region and affiliated with the USCJ, are eligible for membership in Seaboard Region USY providing that the following are met: 1. The chapter is in agreement with the aims and objectives of this Constitution. 2. Persons affiliated with this chapter must be of grades nine through twelve (restrictions within these limits may be made by individual chapters). 3. Each chapter and/or synagogue must provide its members with facilities for religious and/or cultural studies. 4. Membership within the chapter is numerically unlimited 5. Membership is open to Jewish youth only (as defined by the Rabbinical Assembly) 6. Each chapter must observe dietary laws, Shabbat, and other Jewish Law within the framework of the USCJ and their Mara D’atra. SECTION B: SUSPENSION 1. An affiliated chapter of Seaboard USY may be censured or suspended by a majority vote of the Regional Executive Board (excluding blank ballots) for a violation of the Constitution, by-laws, rules, resolutions, regulations or orders of the organization (any such violation constitutes a chapter’s loss of being held in good standing). 2. No suspension shall be for a period of greater than three months without being submitted to the Regional Executive Board for review. 3. A suspended chapter shall be denied, for the period of suspension, all privileges accorded to the member groups and shall not be permitted to function under the name of Seaboard Region USY. 4. Suspension may be renewed by a majority vote of the Regional Executive Board (excluding blank ballots). SECTION C: REINSTATEMENT 1. Any chapter which has been suspended may be reinstated before the expiration of their suspension by a majority vote of the Regional Executive Board (excluding blank ballots). 2. A chapter shall automatically be reinstated to full membership privileges at the conclusion of its suspension period. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP SECTION A: A person may obtain membership within Seaboard Region USY through membership in an affiliated chapter of the region. SECTION B: GOOD STANDING 1. A member shall be held in good standing in his/her chapter by fulfilling the standards set by his/her respective chapter. ARTICLE IV: DUES Failure to comply with the following will result in the banning of participants from negligent chapters at all Divisional, Regional, and International USY activities, and the chapter shall be regarded as not in good standing and therefore subject to suspension as decided by the Regional Executive Board. SECTION A: All chapters shall pay the region in accordance to the specified rate per capita per annum set forth by the Regional General Board, and all chapters shall pay in accordance to the specified rate per capita per annum set forth by the International Organization. 1. The Regional dues rate may be altered by a 2/3 majority vote of the Regional General Board. 2. No dues shall be required from a chapter for a period in which the said chapter is inactive as decided by the International Organization. SECTION B: The fiscal year shall be from Election Convention through the following Election Convention. st SECTION C: All chapters must submit dues on or before December 1 . SECTION D: All chapters are obligated to submit dues for all members affiliated with their youth groups in accordance with this Constitution. SECTION E: Chapters must submit dues for all persons whose dues are submitted past the prescribed deadline. Chapters are obligated to submit dues for all additional affiliates immediately after they are paid by the individuals. ARTICLE V: ADMINISTRATION SECTION A: The executive-administrative apparatus of Seaboard USY shall consist of: 1. Regional Executive Board 2. Regional General Board 3. Regional Youth Director 4. Regional Youth Commission SECTION B: The Regional Youth Director of Seaboard USY shall be in the advisory capacity to the Regional Executive Board, the Regional General Board, and all members. SECTION C: Regional policy shall be set by the Youth Commission whose chairperson shall be appointed by the Seaboard Region President (adult). ARTICLE VI: REGIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD SECTION A: The Regional Executive Board shall consist of the President, Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President, Religious/Education Vice-President, Social Actions/Tikun Olam Vice-President, Membership/Kadima Vice-President, and Tikshoret (Communications Vice-President). SECTION B: The Regional Executive Board shall have the power to: 1. Act as an advisory body to the Regional General Board. 2. Act as a liaison to all affiliated chapters. 3. Transact business of the Regional General Board. 4. Carry out the duties that are specifically enumerated in this Constitution. SECTION C: OFFICER DUTIES 1. The President a. Is vested with executive powers of the regional organization. b. Shall call and preside over all General Assembly, Regional General Board, and Regional Executive Board meetings. c. Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. d. Shall be an accredited representative of Seaboard Region and shall act as a liaison with the Regional Youth Commission, the International Organization, and the USCJ. e. Shall report to Spring Convention as to the state of the Region and shall make recommendations for its improvement. f. Shall oversee, along with the regional executive board, the planning of regional conventions and events, along with the convention chair(s). (revised April 26, 2002) 2. The Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President (revised April 26, 2002) a. Shall assist the President in carrying out his duties and will assume the duties of President in his absence. b. Shall supervise all Seaboard Region auxiliary projects and programs that are not otherwise assigned at the request of the President. c. Shall be responsible for the implementation of all aspects of Israel Affairs Programming and International Programming in the region. (revised April 26, 2002) d. Shall be responsible for the HeChalutzim Club. (revised April 26, 2002) e. Shall oversee Senior Programming. 3. The Religious/Education Vice-President a. Shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and the Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President. b. For all Regional functions, shall be responsible for all aspects of religious and educational programming in conjunction with the appropriate staff. c. Shall, at the request of the host chapter, assist in the religious programming at Interchapter weekend programs. d. Shall be responsible for the Abraham Joshua Heschel Society. 4. The Social Actions/Tikun Olam Vice-President a. Shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President and Religious/Education Vice-President. b. Shall be responsible for the implementation of all aspects of Social Actions and Tikun Olam programming in the Region. c. Shall keep a record of all funds raised for Tikun Olam and oversee their allocation. d. Shall be responsible for the 613 Mitzvot Corps. 5. The Membership/Kadima Vice-President a. Shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President, Religious/Education Vice-President, and Social Actions/Tikun Olam Vice-President. b. Shall be responsible for the implementation of all aspects of Membership and Kadima Programming in the Region. c. Shall oversee all Kadima Kallot and all similar programs, and shall serve as a liaison between Kadima and USY. d. Shall coordinate outreach programs to chapters in the Region. 7. The Tikshoret (Communications Vice-President) a. Shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the Executive/Israeli Affairs Vice-President, Religious/Education Vice-President, Social Actions/Tikun Olam Vice-President, and Membership/Kadima Vice-President. b. Shall have responsibilities regarding On-Line Communication (ie. Listserver and Web-Page), Newspaper, Yearbook, Slide Show, Banner, Regalia, Athletics, and other related programming. c. Shall keep accurate records of all meetings of the Regional Executive Board and Regional General Board, and will issue minutes to the Regional Youth Director, the Regional Executive Board, and other appropriate persons. SECTION D: OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Each Vice-President (herein referred to as Regional Officer) shall have the responsibilities of: a. Serving as a liaison to various chapters as assigned by the President. This responsibility includes guiding those chapters, providing assistance as needed, and serving as a link between those chapters and the rest of the Regional Executive Board, in addition to filling out a monthly report which is to be submitted to the President. b. Overseeing Regional General Board Committees which are annually assigned at a Regional Executive Board meeting according to their individual job profile. 2. Each Regional Officer shall be required to report to the President on a regular basis concerning their respective duties. 3. The Regional Executive Board as a whole shall serve as the Awards Committee. 4. The Regional Executive Board must abide by all Regional Officer Standards (see Appendix A). SECTION E: MEETINGS 1. All meetings shall be called and scheduled by the President. 2. A petition of at least ½ of the Regional Officers may call forth a meeting of the Regional Executive Board. 3. Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of those voting.